with Terry Siebert

Good advice to carpe diem

In his book, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, Dale Carnegie referenced a little program called “Just for Today,” written by Sibyl F. Partridge. He even included it in his book. In addition, he gave away hundreds of copies because he found it to be so inspiring.

In interviewing individuals for our training programs, well over half tell us that handling stress and the pressures of daily life, both professionally and personally, is an area that they need to work on. This comes as no surprise in a world that demands we do everything more, better, and faster every day.

With that, I believe that this advice, well over 75 years old, is just as applicable today as it was then. Here it is:

Just for Today

1. Just for today I will be happy. This assumes that what Abraham Lincoln said is true, that “most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Happiness is from within; it is not a matter of externals.

2. Just for today I will try to adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my desires. I will try to take my family, my business, and my luck as they come and fit myself to them.

3. Just for today I will take care of my body. I will exercise it, care for it, nourish it, [and] not abuse it or neglect it, so that it will be a perfect machine for my bidding.

4. Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires mental effort, thought, and concentration.

5. Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out. I will do at least two things I don’t want to do, as William James suggests, just for exercise.

6. Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress as becomingly as possible, talk low, act courteously, be liberal with praise, criticize not at all, nor find fault with anything, and not try to regulate nor improve anyone.

7. Just for today I will try to live through this day only, not tackle my whole life problem all at once. I can do things for 12 hours that would appall me if I had to keep them up for a lifetime.

8. Just for today I will have a program. I will write down what I expect to do every hour. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. It will eliminate two pests — hurrying and indecision.

9. Just for today I will have a quiet half-hour all by myself and relax. In this half-hour sometimes I will think of god, so as to get a little more perspective into my life.

10. Just for today I will be unafraid; especially I will not be afraid to be happy, to enjoy what is beautiful, to love, and to believe that those I love, love me.

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About This Blog

Known for his Dale Carnegie training expertise, Terry Siebert is writing to inspire leaders to reach their greatest potential. Leadership, today more than ever, may mean the difference between closing the doors or opening new markets. Every month, he'll post help with mindset, business tools and more.